Chapter Two - "Excuse me! My hair does not look like a dead squirrel!"

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People say that riding a motorbike is like flying. It's as though you're finally living your life to the fullest with the feeling of air rushing past you in one quick whoosh and it's do or die time, a sort of adrenaline rush. Well whoever said that was lying. The only thing that I was doing, was praying to dear God for my life. Not only was I sitting behind Sean as he sped downtown, but I was also getting a little sick and for everyone's sake I could only hope that we'd stop before I would get the chance of throwing up the fishy looking lunch I had.

Redwood passed my eyes in a blur, but it wasn't like I needed to see it to know what we were passing. Redwood was like its name. A huge mass of red flowering trees that weren't chopped down enough so it was upgraded to a forest and well Redwood became the town's official name. Like its name, Redwood was boring and really shallow just like Jessica and her cronies. Alright, fine, Redwood wasn't shallow or was it boring.

It was large for a town and the residents were split up evenly, the rich side and then the middle-class side. I, like the majority of Redwood, feel into the latter. My mother had been the only parent I'd ever known and had to work as an assistant manager at a marketing company in the city. It wasn't like I knew my father, or that he had cheated on my mother or that he had been part of the mafia. He really was an unknown, almost as if he never existed. Although, he must have existed because my mother very clearly explained that I was conceived in a night of love and passion. Or better known as a one-night stand.

My mother was going through her rebellious stage, ran away from home and got drunk. After meeting another runaway, she realised she was pregnant. Deciding it was time to grow up, she moved to Redwood and had me, away from the prying eyes of her judgmental family. Sometimes I felt guilty that I came along when I did, because my other didn't really have much like with guys when they discovered she had an eighteen year old daughter. Although, I was leaving for uni at the end of graduation, so I was sure she'd find someone. Unlike me, who was currently on the back of a bike, on the verge of puking.

My arms felt like falling off, that's how tight I was holding onto Sean. Why did he have to ride this thing so fast? It wasn't like Redwood was going to fall off the face of the earth and he'd never get the chance of making me over. Did that sound bad only to me? Maybe I am a pervert? That would explain my VL status. I probably scared guys off with my dirty thoughts. Not like guys were mind readers. Although I did watch this show about a mind-reading killer once.

My thoughts were interrupted when we finally came to a stop. My eyes slowly opened, after I shut them to stop the dizziness that had taken over my vision. Letting go of Sean, I easily slid off the motorbike. Yeah right, as if that would ever happen. Swinging one leg over the seat, I fell over, landing face first into the hard gravel, only earning a laugh from Sean and a few people walking past on the street. Even a mother pushing a stroller laughed at me, seriously?

"You know you do look better face down," Sean teased from above me. "But if you want anyone to be looking at that face, you better hurry up."

I frowned, dusted off my baggy jeans and stood up. A habit that my mother found annoying, I slid my glasses up the bridge of my nose and glared fiercely at Sean, well as fiercely as I could manage.

"Hurry up for what?" I questioned.

Sean sighed, "We're getting your hair done."

I touched my brown hair self-consciously. "What's wrong with my hair?"

Okay, I got that my clothes were a size too big and that my glasses made my face look smaller than it was. My height was hopelessly close to a midget and my feet were tinier than an ant's, but if I had something going, it had to be my hair. Okay yes I put it up in a ponytail most of the time and yes it was tied up and away from my face, but it's probably the best feature I had, so why would I want to do anything to it?

Sean gave me a look that made me feel like an idiot.

"Seriously, what's wrong with your hair? Lanter, if you haven't noticed and I find it extremely difficult that you haven't, especially with those glasses on, but your hair looks like a run over squirrel."

I gasped, "Excuse me! My hair does not look like a dead squirrel."

"Yes my bad," Sean drawled, "it looks more like something crawled onto your head and died there. Now if you're done having your outburst, we've got to go before you miss your appointment."

Shuffling behind Sean into a white building I asked, "What appointment?"

"Hair salon," Sean replied, not turning around to face me.

He walked over to the counter, where a blonde receptionist wearing a smart looking black outfit smiled cheerily at him. He leaned closer, clearly flirting with her while she opened a huge leather book and ticked off something then pointed to an empty seat. A small woman who looked around twenty stood waiting near a chair, wearing an impatient look in her eyes. Sean turned to me, oblivious of the glare that he was getting from the hairdresser.

"Come on Lanter," he called. "We're burning daylight and I've got a Math's test to study for."

I muttered under my breath and plonked onto the soft leather seat as the hair dresser began to fuss in a thick British accent over how my hair looked like it hadn't been brushed for the past ten years. God, what is with everyone and my hair today? It wasn't that bad. Sure I had some frizz but everyone did. Or at least, everyone with curly hair did. I frowned to myself, wondering what exactly I had gotten myself into.

"So you're Sean's assignment then?" the hairdresser asked.

I scrunched my eyebrows in confusion. "Assignment?"

"Smile Lanter," Sean announced, appearing out of nowhere with a camera.

Before I could say anything, a flash appeared before my eyes, blinding me momentarily. After blinking vigorously for what felt the millionth time, I narrowed my eyes at Sean. What did the hairdresser mean by assignment and why was Sean taking a photo of me like this? Especially now when my hair was in the process of being opened causing me to look like a freak.

"What assignment?" I demanded.

Sean tossed me glance. "Oh you know."

I ground my teeth. "No I don't know."

"It's for the school paper," Sean answered, "it's going to earn me some extra credit for uni applications. Besides, you can't say that this isn't going to get your popularity up."

My mouth opened in surprise. I was certain I looked like the Scream but didn't pay it any mind. Wasn't this a violation of my rights? Sean couldn't seriously think that he could use me as his piece for some school paper article! I wouldn't allow it! Vivienne Lanter is done being pushed around, she's going to stand her ground and tell people no!

"You- but why me?" I stammered.

Okay we'll start with the whole new Vivienne tomorrow.

Sean shrugged, tossing me an amused glance. "It's easier than interviewing Jessica, who's running for Prom queen."

Just the mention of Jessica's name sent goose pimples up my arms. She was a blonde cheerleader with a smile that turned heads, a slim waist that could fit into anything and a pair of boobs that could poke an eye out – not that I looked or anything. But most importantly, Jessica was the girl who had made my life a living hell ever since I could remember. Just thinking about her made my blood boil with rage and make me want to hit her in the face.

"Cool," I replied, surprising not only Sean but myself as well.

Way to go Viv! You actually said something normal and you didn't sound weird too.

"So what do you want with your hair?" the hairdresser interrupted.

"Oh, uh well," I mumbled.

Staring at my reflection, I caught a glance at my face and long brown, frizzy hair. My glasses were thick and dark causing my blue eyes to fade away and my nose to look larger than it really was. I sighed. What was wrong with my hair? Obviously I didn't see a need to change it. Think about what Jessica did to you Viv! Don't you want to show her up?

"Something nice, something-"

Sean cut me off. "Cut it, and dye it a different colour."

I frowned at him from the mirror, my eyes meeting his deep hazel eyes.

"I can speak for myself you know and anyways why would I want my hair a different colour? What do you know about fashion and hairstyles huh? Are you-oh my God!" I gasped.

"What?" the hairdresser asked in shock.

"Are you gay Sean?" I asked, wide eyed.

Sean spluttered and the hairdresser began to chuckle like I had just said the funniest thing she's ever heard. She started tearing up and had to wipe at her eyes, all the while Sean's face went from red in embarrassment to red with rage. He was seething and I could have sworn that I could hear his teeth grinding together. The fact that he still had teeth was surprising on its own.

"I am not gay," Sean hissed.

"Trust me honey," the hairdresser laughed, "my brother is not gay."

Did she say that Sean was her brother?

"You're his sister?" I questioned, surprised.

"Sadly yes, but I usually don't associate myself with him. Hasn't Sean told you about me?" she asked.

I shook my head. "Nothing."

"I'm Lily," the hairdresser explained. "I'm studying to become a fashion designer but first I want to be a famous hairdresser."

"And then next month she'll want to be a cross dresser," Seam muttered.

I let out a small laugh, but Lily shushed me.

"We've got work to do, especially on this."

Two hours later and after a lot of protests and cries of pain, my hair was done. Lily wouldn't let me look at myself in the mirror until she was done. God I was nervous. Why should you be nervous Viv? This is just some hairstyle, nothing really more of a change in your lifestyle. Better maybe, oh God! What if Lily cut it all off? What then? I suppose I could pass it off as a new trend, although with my reputation, I was pretty certain I wouldn't be setting any new trends.

"What do you think?" Lily asked, spinning me around to face the mirror.

A breath left my lips. Staring at my reflection, I couldn't help but wonder if it was really me. Tentatively, I reached out to touch my hair, my now very blonde hair that could pass for light brown. It was soft and cut just under my shoulders. The tops were cut short and the ends of each strand were curled slightly, giving the whole appearance of perfect wavy hair. God, I finally understood what Sean and Lily meant by my hair looking like a dead squirrel.

"Say squirrel," Sean exclaimed, snapping another picture too fast for me to protest.

"Mum! I'm home!" I announced, entering my house.

I'm in the kitchen honey!" my mother shouted.

Sean followed closely behind, and I could sense him looking around. Sean lived in the richer side of town and there was no doubt about it, but I was embarrassed to be showing him around the place. Obviously my mother and I weren't the richest people around but we weren't bad off either. It felt a little awkward, knowing that Sean and I were from different backgrounds and it only emphasised the whole reason why he was here in the first place. For a deal.

My mother, who was digging around in a cupboard, turned around and dropped the tin of tomato paste. Her blue eyes bulged out of their sockets and her hands flew to her mouth as a gasp escaped it. I swallowed and approached my petite mother hesitantly. Unlike me, she had a short bob, cut narrowly at then ends and dyed it a dark chocolate brown.

"Your hair, Viv, you changed it," my mother breathed.

"Do you like it?" I asked.

She scanned my hair carefully, then touched it. "It's so different. It makes you look older. More sophisticated. I love it."

I smiled at her. "Thanks mum."

Overcoming her shock to my new hairstyle, my mother turned to look behind me. Her eyes widened when I realised that she was looking at Sean, the sex god of Redwood High, who also had a slight British accent and occasionally used combat boots and leather jackets. He also had great messy black hair, that fell over his forehead sexily and amazing deep hazel eyes that a girl would fall in forever.

"And who's this?" my mother asked.

I cringed at her suggestive tone and cleared my throat before Sean could answer.

"This is Sean Gregory," I replied. "I'm tutoring him Maths."

My mother smiled, extended her hand out and greeted Sean with a friendly handshake.

"I'm Katherine. It's nice to meet you. Viv doesn't really bring any boys home and I was starting to worry-"

"Mum," I hissed, cutting off her words.

My mother stopped, throwing her hands in the air.

"Teenagers these days, you say one thing about them and it's like you're admitting that they still sleep with a stuffed toy," she scoffed.

My cheeks went red with embarrassment. "Mum! Can you please just go make dinner instead?"

My mother laughed at me, then grinned at Sean in a weird way and went back to getting put ingredients probably for tonight's supper. Breathe Viv, it's not over. You can totally salvage this, just calm down, don't faint and you'll be alright. Okay, one, two and three. Calming breaths. Yes, deep breaths.

"Your mother seems nice," Sean interrupted, "do you think she'll mind if I take pictures of around the house?"

I frowned, "Why would you-"

"The article," Sean replied, cutting me short.

I murmured, "Oh, I suppose she wouldn't."

Sean grinned at me. "Good, because I can't wait to get a picture of your bedroom."

"My bedroom?" I asked, "You are so not going to see my bedroom."

"Yeah that's true, I'll probably run off in the opposite direction screaming for my dear balls to be saved from your sexual desires," Sean retorted with a grin.


***


Author's Note:

Hey everyone! Thanks for reading and supporting me. I really appreciate all your wonderful comments. This is the edited version of chapter 2 meaning that it might clash with later chapters, but all issues will be addressed and edited soon. Remember to vote, comment and spread the word if you enjoyed!


xoxo

Mona-Mae

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